kennedy was able to not only match nixon but exceed him. people began to think of him as a possible president. >> are debates necessary for the democratic process? have the best debaters proven to be then the best presidents? >> they have in one sense. and that is one of the most important things you want from a president is someone who if he has to make a tough decision can go to americans and say, this may be unpopular with you but let me try to explain it, explain why it's the right thing to do. if a president doesn't have that he's not going to serve very well and the debates are a test of that. >> what about as we look ahead to wednesday night with mitt romney trailing in the polls, the fact that he is sharing the stage with the president of the united states, does this offer a first-time candidate, not first time but in his case but someone who gets all the way to the end there, does it offer that person the credibility and potential bump in the polls just for having shown up and being there at the debate? >> absolutely. because you'l